Detroit couple in court on abuse, torture charges in case of boy found in basement

DETROIT – The father and stepmother of a Detroit boy who was reported missing for 11 days are facing a key hearing to determine if they'll face trial on torture and abuse charges.

Charlie Bothuell V was 12 last June when police found him among boxes in the basement. His father, Charlie Bothuell IV, said he was shocked and didn't know the boy's whereabouts.

Bothuell and Monique Dillard-Bothuell are accused of forcing him to stay in the basement, denying him food and demanding that he follow a twice-a-day regimen of 100 push-ups, 200 sit-ups and thousands of revolutions on an elliptical machine.

A hearing to determine whether the case goes to trial is scheduled for Friday.